Nanaimo, British Columbia

The falls cascades off of a sheet of rock that is filled with Ammonite fossils, thus the name Ammonite Falls! The trailhead is very distinct and has a parking lot close to the start of the trail. From the Nanaimo Parkway (#19) head onto Jingle Pot Road. Follow that for a few kilometres and turn ...

This trail isn't much to look at but it's all about the destination here as you will stumble upon scenic waterfalls nestled in the quiet Nanoose Bay area. Turn off the highway next onto Sea Blush Drive next to the Arlington Pub in Nanoose BC. Take your first right onto Sundew Place. Start your wa...

Green Mountain is located out in the Nanaimo Lakes area and used to be a ski hill back in the 60's. There was a lodge and even a t-bar to get you up the hill (both of which are nothing more than dilapidated remains now). The mountain's ski-based past becomes apparent as you hike up through countl...

This is an easy 3 km or so hike that you can meander along and enjoy the lush greenery and the two waterfalls. The lower waterfalls is best viewed in the spring or winter. When summer comes the river gets lower and in turn that waterfall gets hard to see. Although, when the water levels are low y...

Situated amid a quiet forest of both old and new growth Douglas firs, cedar, hemlock, and maple, the Englishman River Falls consist of two waterfalls which cascade into a deep canyon beneath a secluded bridge. Perfect for intermediate hikers, day-trippers, photographers and curious tourists, this...

Lasqueti Island is a beautiful island that covers about 75 square kilometres.  It is one of the drier islands in the strait, and has some of the warmest waters too. The shores are dotted with arbutus trees, and feral sheep run wild through the woods. The lack of car ferry and direct utilities kee...

The Maple Mountain trail network has been enjoyed for countless years by hikers, but not until recently did the mountain receive the attention it deserved for mountain biking. Over the last few years the Cowichan Trail Stewardship Society in conjunction with the approval of the local municipality...

Mt Prevost is a local favourite for hikers, mountain bikers and if you can believe even hang gliders. Most people know it for the large war memorial tower that is perched on the cliff edge, standing guard over the valley below.The big draw of Mt Prevost is easy access to a significant distance an...

Heather Mountain is a moderate well marked out and back hike through managed forest land. The hike brings a wonderful feeling of solitude as there are no towns or buildings visible even with distant views in all directions.  It is also quite lightly tracked: we saw no other hikers on the entire r...

Mount Gardner is the highest point on Bowen Island. I love visiting Bowen. It is a 20 minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay but feels a world’s away from the city.  I climbed to the top of Mount Gardner a few years ago during the summer, but had yet to do it in the winter. I was excited to see wha...

The starting point depends a lot on the time of year and snow level. On a bad snow year you can get all the way to the old ski area base. Depending on the road conditions, however, be prepared to snowshoe/skin in anywhere from an extra 3 to 5 km (2-3 mi). The Rousseau Chute route is an alternativ...

Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park is just off the #4 highway on your way out to Port Alberni. Simply look for the signs indicating Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park, and you will turn into the park before Cameron Lake.Easily accessible by everyone, this park can get busy in the summer mon...

From Ganges head south on Fulford-ganes road toward Fulfrod harbour. Turn right on Dukes road then a right on Seymour Heights. Seymour Heights turns into a dirt road, with a number of pot holes but nothing a non 4x4 car can't handle. At the trail head there is a small turn around and not a ton of...

Mt. Arrowmsith's claim to fame is the tallest mountain on "southern" Vancouver Island. Standing at 1,819 m (6,000 ft), it barely squeezes into the top 50 of the Island, as it stands no chance against the peaks of Strathcona, which you can see gazing north from the summit!The advantage of Arrowsmi...

Mount Arrowsmith resides in the heart of Vancouver Island between Nanaimo and Tofino within the Alberni Valley region. At the height of 1817m this peak boasts being the tallest point on the southern half of the island. With it's easy access it is surely the most visited and summited mountain on t...

The trail from Cameron Lake to the top of Mount Cokely (5302') provides the most ready access to the alpine on Southern Vancouver Island. The route is straightforward and non-technical, albeit physically challenging. Expect to spend 6-8+ hours if hiking the entire route described below (which we ...